The horse is perhaps the West's most beloved symbol. Over the decades, horses' practical uses have been surpassed by the place they occupy in our hearts and imaginations. For many Wyoming residents, past and present, a horse isn't simply an animal — it's an esteemed companion.Wyoming's admiration of horses is central to the state's identity, as represented by the Cowboy State's trademarked bucking-bronco insignia. For those in Wyoming, the horse's influence on the culture, economy and livelihood is undeniable.With that said, what happens when residents in a struggling economy are no longer able to support a growing horse population? Around the nation, cases of equine abandonment have surged as horse prices have plummeted. In an incident reported just this week, more than 70 horses and burros died on a Nebraska ranch — the owner is accused of starving the animals to death.It's a tough scenario. Unresolved is the question of whether access to a slaughterhouse would prevent abandonment and starvation cases that are cropping up around the nation. Lawmakers across the country, including those in Wyoming and Montana, have sought to reinstate American horse slaughterhouses, which ceased to operate in 2007. In the absence of domestic slaughterhouses, unusable and aging horses are sent to slaughter across the border. According to the New York Times, the Humane Society reported that the United States sent 98,363 horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter last year. As of last month, 17,758 horses from the U.S. had been sent to those two countries' slaughterhouses in 2009.For aging, unusable and crippled horses, slaughterhouses are more humane than leaving the animals to starve. Resources are slim for caring for abandoned horses and in the end, someone has to assume the rising costs of caring for those animals.Reopening horse slaughterhouses certainly isn't a favorite choice or an easy one, but with growing concern for neglected equines nationwide, it may be the best option.

The horse is perhaps the West's most beloved symbol.

Over the decades, horses' practical uses have been surpassed by the place they occupy in our hearts and imaginations. For many Wyoming residents, past and present, a horse isn't simply an animal — it's an esteemed companion.

Wyoming's admiration of horses is central to the state's identity, as represented by the Cowboy State's trademarked bucking-bronco insignia. For those in Wyoming, the horse's influence on the culture, economy and livelihood is undeniable.

With that said, what happens when residents in a struggling economy are no longer able to support a growing horse population? Around the nation, cases of equine abandonment have surged as horse prices have plummeted. In an incident reported just this week, more than 70 horses and burros died on a Nebraska ranch — the owner is accused of starving the animals to death.

It's a tough scenario. Unresolved is the question of whether access to a slaughterhouse would prevent abandonment and starvation cases that are cropping up around the nation.

Lawmakers across the country, including those in Wyoming and Montana, have sought to reinstate American horse slaughterhouses, which ceased to operate in 2007.

In the absence of domestic slaughterhouses, unusable and aging horses are sent to slaughter across the border.

According to the New York Times, the Humane Society reported that the United States sent 98,363 horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter last year. As of last month, 17,758 horses from the U.S. had been sent to those two countries' slaughterhouses in 2009.

For aging, unusable and crippled horses, slaughterhouses are more humane than leaving the animals to starve.

Resources are slim for caring for abandoned horses and in the end, someone has to assume the rising costs of caring for those animals.

Reopening horse slaughterhouses certainly isn't a favorite choice or an easy one, but with growing concern for neglected equines nationwide, it may be the best option.